The bio digester installation in Kampung Babakan Ampera, Jayagiri Village, Lembang District, West Bandung Regency (KBB), was inaugurated on Saturday, December 30, 2023. This cow manure (kohe) waste processing project was built by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) ITB in collaboration with PT Aimtopindo Nuansa Kimia and the West Java Environmental Protection Forum (FPLH).

The bio digester can process approximately 500 kilograms of kohe per day from 50 cows owned by farmers in Kampung Babakan Ampera.

"Today, we inaugurated a bio digester unit for eco-friendly energy and a maggot production unit for animal feed," said Prof. Lienda A. Handojo from LPPM ITB after the inauguration.

She explained that the construction of the bio digester installation is part of ITB's community service program. The bio digester project does not end with the inauguration; it will be followed by the addition of various facilities to support the production process.

"This bio digester has many benefits as biogas and for maggot cultivation. The biogas is used for local energy needs, such as fruit drying, cooking fuel, and even tofu production. Moreover, the maggots produced also have high economic value," she explained.

However, Lienda continued, the bio digester is also a solution for managing cow manure, which has been a major source of environmental pollution.

"It not only helps the local economy but also, most importantly, addresses the issue of cow manure digestion," she emphasized.

Setyo Yanus Sasongko, President Director of PT Aimtopindo Nuansa Kimia, added that the construction of the bio digester is a starting point and can be developed further by integrating other technologies that can be aligned with the existing unit.

"Gradually, we will transfer technology to the farmers so they can operate the bio digester effectively. Thus, when problems arise, they can address them independently," Yanus stated.

Thio Setiowekti, Chairman of FPLH, said that on behalf of the residents of Babakan Ampera, they will continue to collaborate with LPPM and PPMI ITB as well as PT Aimtopindo Nuansa Kimia for the guidance and operation of the bio digester and maggot production unit to benefit the residents.

"We will certainly coordinate with the local government to ensure that the bio digester is used effectively and boosts the local economy," said Thio.

Idad Saadudin, Head of Pollution Control and Environmental Damage (P2KL) at the West Bandung Regency Environmental Agency (DLH), appreciated ITB's community service program. Besides providing economic benefits to the community, it also offers a solution to the cow manure problem.

"I hope that bio digesters will be built not only in Babakan Ampera but also in other areas in Greater Lembang. The dairy cow population reaches around 19,000, with each cow producing about 10 kilograms of manure per day," said Idad.

He noted that managing cow manure should not rely solely on the government but also involve various community elements, as done by LPPM ITB, FPLH, and PT Aimtopindo Nuansa Kimia.

"Government finances are very limited, so community involvement is essential to solve the cow manure waste problem," he concluded.